HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/05/2010 05 Election of Mayor BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No.: 5
For Meeting of: January 5, 2010
ITEM TITLE: Election of Mayor
SUBMITTED BY: Jeff Cutter, City Attorney
CONTACT PERSON/TELEPHONE: Jeff Cutter – 575-6030
SUMMARY EXPLANATION: Article II, Section 3 of the Yakima City Charter reads in part as
follows:
"The Council shall choose its own chairman at its first meeting and at the first meeting after the
subsequent biennial elections. The chairman shall have the title of Mayor during the biennium
for which he is chosen..."
This memorandum serves as a reminder that the City Council meeting of January 5, 2010, is
the appropriate meeting for the selection process to occur to choose a mayor for the next two
years.
This memorandum also serves as a reminder that according to the requirements of the Open
Public Meetings Act (RCW Chapter 42.30), and in keeping with the recent practices of the City
Council, the voting procedure must occur in an open meeting, not in an executive session.
While the Charter specifies no method for choosing the mayor, historically in Yakima, that
selection has been made by a vote of the Council members following nominations from the
floor. A nomination does not require a second. Roberts Rules of Order gives the following
example: Member: "I nominate Council Member A." The chair repeats the nomination:.
"Council Member A is nominated. Are there any further nominations?" When it appears that
no one else wishes to make a nomination, the chair should again ask if there are any further
nominations; if there is no response, he normally declares that nominations are closed, without
waiting for a motion to that effect. After nominations have been closed, voting for that office
takes place. The vote should be by roll call (or some other method that is "open") and not by a
secret ballot or method by which the vote would be an "anonymous" vote. (AGO 1971 No. 33),
Resolution Ordinance Contract Other (Specify)
Funding Source:
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APPROVAL FOR SUBMITTAL: -
it Mager
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: This is a Council policy issue.
III BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
COUNCIL ACTION: